Communities talk rail line preservation

SIMCOE COUNTY - An abandoned CN railway line could bring together municipalities and attract business to the region.
A committee of economic development officials from Simcoe County, Township of Essa, Innisfil, Township of Springwater and Barrie met for the first time last week to preserve the old Barrie-Collingwood line.
“The City of Barrie looks at the railway as a huge opportunity, as the price of oil increases and the need for alternative modes of transportation increases,” said Barrie Coun. Alex Nuttall, chairperson of the Allandale Community Development Corporation, which owns the line that has a junction in Utopia that connects with a north-south CP line.
Barrie’s economic development director Hany Kirolos said road congestion costs business in the GTA $2 billion each year. Along with the rising cost of gasoline, rail becomes a cost-effective alternative if goods are being shipped 500 kilometers or more.
“The junction we own is a critical one,” he said, and every day, the BCRY interchanges with a class 1 CP line, which is linked into the North American network.
With several spurs, the BCRY serves businesses that ship lumber, liquid bulk chemicals, agricultural products, bentonite, scrap metal, machinery and equipment.
Innisfil’s development director Don Eastwood agreed the rail line is an asset.
“It’s a key element that can position the employment lands in Innisfil Heights to attract a broader range of uses,” said Eastwood, noting Ontario has designated that area as an employment hub. “We see the rail system as embellishing the ability of that area to attract manufacturing and distribution investment.”
The line already serves Innisfil as it heads southeast through Barrie, turns west and wraps around to Georgian Downs.
“People will realize we just can’t build enough (highway) lanes. It’s important to protect the rail corridor as a goods movement corridor,” he said, adding protecting the Barrie-Bradford line is paying dividends as GO trains now use the line.
With the railway junction in Essa, that township sees potential.
“We’re encouraging the county to recognize its importance. We view this railway as a key economic asset,” said Essa’s planning and development manager Colleen Healey.
In July 2011, Collingwood pulled out of the rail business, and the county is considering purchasing the western half of the line.
Simcoe County economic development manager Robert Lamb said the county considers the railway worth protecting and building on.
“It’s identified in the county’s strategic plan and master transportation plan. Like the airport, it’s a major asset we can build on,” he said.
The new inter-municipal committee will work on creating an inventory of industrial land along the railway and also on creating a business case for rail.